Restoring iOS and iPadOS Devices Using DFU Blaster Pro

To restore iOS and iPadOS systems, follow the steps below.

This article demonstrates how to erase and restore one iOS or iPadOS device at a time. Refer to the Restoring iPhones and iPads with DFU Blaster Pro guide for instructions on restoring multiple devices simultaneously with the Acroname Hub.

Restoring an iOS or iPadOS device can be done quickly and efficiently using DFU Blaster Pro and connecting a target iOS or iPadOS device directly to the admin Mac. Devices with a Lightning connection will require manually putting them into Recovery Mode before restoring with DFU Blaster Pro.

Items Required

• Apple Silicon admin Mac
• DFU Blaster Pro installed on admin Mac
• An iOS or iPadOS device to restore
• A USB-C to USB-C cable (or USB-C to Lightning for devices with a Lightning connection)

USB-C Devices

This section includes iPad Pro 3rd Gen (2018) and iPhone 15 (2023) or newer. For devices with a Lightning connection, scroll down to the Lightning Devices section.

1. Connect the target device to the admin Mac containing DFU Blaster Pro that will be used for the restore.
2. Select the DFU Mode button above the Available Devices list.
3. Once the iOS device has successfully been put into DFU mode, it will appear on the devices list (if it was not already) with a green check mark in the DFU/Recovery Mode column.
4. Click Restore All, or highlight the row the iOS device is in and click Restore. This process will take approximately 6-8 minutes.
5. The restore process will start and once complete, the status will say “Successful” and the device will power on. It is safe to disconnect the target device at this point.

Lightning Devices

This section includes iPhone 5-14 (2012-2022) and iPad 4-9 (2012-2021). Other iPad models supported USB-C starting in late 2018.

1. Connect the target device to the admin Mac containing DFU Blaster Pro that will be used for the restore.
2. To put Lightning devices into DFU mode, the method will depend on the device type. You can use the Model Identifier to look up instructions for putting Lightning devices into Recovery Mode.
3. Note the device Model Identifier for devices not in DFU Mode under the Type column.
4. Click Look up DFU Port on the top bar of the DFU Blaster Pro window.

5. Enter the Model Identifier from the Type column or Model Number and select your device.
6. Use the instructions under the DFU Port Location section to put the device into Recovery Mode.

Once the device is in Recovery Mode, you will see the Recovery Mode screen.

7. Close the DFU Port and Device Lookup guide window.

8. Once the target device is in Recovery Mode, it will show a green check mark under the DFU/Recovery Mode column.
9. Click Restore All, or highlight the row the device is in and click Restore. This process will take approximately 7-9 minutes.
10. The restore process will start and once complete, the status will say “Successful” and the device will power on. It is safe to disconnect the target device at this point.

When complete, repeat for new devices.

Troubleshooting

1. Ensure you are using a properly working cable for the connection (i.e. the device indicates it is charging after being plugged in to the admin Mac).
2. If devices are not showing up on the Available Devices list after connecting them, select the refresh button to refresh the list.
3. If the device still does not show up, disconnect and reconnect.
4. For continued issues, restart the admin Mac, DFU Blaster Pro, and the iOS or iPadOS device.